The state fire inspector will be approved to be on campus, and will be tested and cleared before the inspection date.
We will knock on your door and announce ourselves, and if we don’t hear an answer, we will key in and do a quick inspection. If you are present, you do not have to leave the room. The inspection takes less than a minute. We are required to lock rooms when we leave, even if we find them unlocked, so make sure you have your keys on you.
Please review the fire safety and room decoration section of the House Rules to make sure you are following guidelines. Below is a general (but not all inclusive) list of what we will be looking for that are not allowed:
Sprinkler heads
Nothing can be closer than 18 inches to a sprinkler head or smoke detector.
Things hanging on pipes (nothing should be hanging from pipes)
Furniture should not be re-arranged in a manner that compromises functioning of the sprinkler system
Objects hanging from the ceiling - Objects may not be 18 inches or closer to the ceiling or to any fire safety device.
Only 10% of your walls should be covered with decorations
Extension cords and multi-plug adaptors (power strips are fine)
Power strips plugged into extension cords (piggy backing cords into cords is not permitted).
Blocked/wedged open doors - They have to be able to freely close in case of fire.
Unsafe levels of clutter, storage, debris or recycling (please keep your rooms clean!)
Microwaves: Due to wattage requirements, microwave ovens other than those rented by Cornell's approved vendor (Micro-fridge) may not be used in student bedrooms.
Items on outside of student doors - Every door is allowed to have equivalent to 1 - 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper per per occupant per door and 1 - 10x14 dry erase board. No streamers!
"Spider Lamps" - These have caused a lot of fires in residence halls, and they are not permitted in Cornell residences.
Candles- Candles and incense are not permitted for use or display.
Covered or tampered with smoke detectors
Use of personal curtains/drapes/tapestries are not permitted (code-mandated fire retardant requirement)
Fabric or clothing draped over light fixtures
Artificial plants/flowers/ivy that is not fire proof
The improper storage of combustible items (paints, charcoal, etc.) - Storing flammable liquids or gases is not permitted in the residence halls.
If you have any questions about this, please feel free to email. If you are unsure if something is allowed – send HAD Perdita a picture and we can confirm.
Violations will be either be confiscated or cause a room to fail and need to be re-inspected. Let’s all work together to ensure that Bethe passes its fire inspection in one go!
